Dear Commons Community,

In the past week a lot has been made of the controversy surrounding President Obama and new federal requirements regarding access to contraceptives at Roman Catholic institutions.  Similar laws are already in place in 28 states, without inflicting the slightest blow to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.  The argument that this is a religious freedom issue is strictly political theater in a presidential year.

As a New York Times editorial comments:

“If a religious body does not like a public policy that affects its members, it is free to try to change it, but it cannot simply opt out of society or claim a special exemption from the law.”

Regardless, yesterday, Mr. Obama’s revised the rules on birth control coverage to let institutions affiliated with a religion shift the cost of coverage to their insurance companies. In sum, Mr. Obama took an action that will help reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, abortions and medical complications from pregnancy.

Tony